Further Information There are exciting things happening in Children’s Services at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council!
Majella McCarthy, our new Director of Children’s Services joined us in April and is passionate about driving improvement in outcomes for children, young people and their families.
We have recently undergone a review and due to internal promotions and investment in a new senior management structure we are in an exciting position. We are looking for innovative and ambitious individuals who place children and young people at the centre of everything they do.
We are looking for an aspirational leader for the newly created role of Head of Service for Practice Development and Principal Social Worker.
Stockon-on-Tees prides itself on developing a reflective and learning culture for staff, that aspires to support children and families to stay together safely.
In this role you will oversee the Social Work Academy, working with the DFE local colleges and universities to offer a wide range of routes into social work and social care.
You will lead on the progression process for our teams, will develop services across Early Help, Child in Need, statutory interventions, and our residential homes responding to government and regulatory changes.
As the Principal Social Worker, you will advocate for our workforce, ensuring they have the right support in place to carry out their duties effectively.
You will be working regionally and nationally, to ensure Stockton-on-Tees is engaged and informed, in trailblazer opportunity, funding and changes in national practice.
You will be aspirational for children, families and workforce and be able to prioritise your work to meet competing deadlines. You will have experience in developing and shaping services to improve the outcomes for our children and families, supporting our teams through periods of change. Experience of undertaking bids to secure and develop services and experience across services and management is also required.
You will have a proven track record in developing an innovative and robust recruitment and retention offer for social workers and social care staff across children’s services.
You’ll be joining an ambitious organisation and Children’s Service, which have huge potential and an empowering culture. You’ll also be coming to a place on the precipice of significant transformation that will change lives for generations to come.
Alongside regular supervision, access to learning and development opportunities, mental health and well-being support, we offer an excellent reward package including:
1. A salary of £78,074 (plus pending pay award)
2. Relocation support of up to £8,000 to assist with your move to Stockton
3. Flexible Working arrangements – working across locations in Stockton and the ability to work some of your time from home.
4. 27 days annual leave per year rising to 32 with 5 years service. Ability to purchase additional leave is also available
5. Generous Pension Scheme through the LGPS with ability to pay extra and plan for retirement
6. Your SWE Registration paid for
7. Access to a number of employee benefits including salary sacrifice Car Lease Scheme, discounts at high street and online retailers, employee assistance programme, physiotherapy and more.
If you would like an informal discussion about the role before you apply, then please contact Majella McCarthy (Director of Children’s Services) by email on
We are intending to interview on 25 and 26 July 2024 and you will receive notification through North East Jobs if you have been shortlisted.
We look forward to reading your application.
Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered with North East Jobs, including your invite to interview if you are short-listed. Please check your email after the closing date for notification from ‘DONOTREPLY@NORTHEASTJOBS.ORG.UK’. All communication will also appear in the ‘My Messages’ section of your North East Jobs account.